Your turn: What's your take on the proposed draft boycott?

March 16, 2011|By Matt Vensel

The labor union formerly known as the NFL Players Association is trying to convince the top college prospects to boycott next month's NFL draft. That protest would deny these young men the chance to soak in the whole experience of walking up on stage at Radio City Music Hall, putting on their new team's hat and posing for a few goofy pictures with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

"I just think it's a shame for young men that are starting their careers in the NFL, that are having that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come across the stage, become an NFL player for the first time [to not be able to attend the draft]," Goodell told ESPN. "It's a really special moment and I hope they get to experience it."

There has already been public backlash toward the players, who were viewed by many as the lesser of two evils in the NFL's labor dispute. But they say they plan on giving the players a similar experience on draft day sans Commissioner Goodell.